How to Setup Automatic Windows Backup in Windows 10

Microsoft Windows always provide the tools to backup your important data which is essential in case of system failure. Windows 10 offers you two tools to backup your data, one is “File History” and another is “Windows Backup and Restore”. The former tool automatically stores multiple versions of files and the latter one stores only the latest version of data. You can set up automatic Windows backup in Windows 10 on a scheduled time.

Windows Backup and Restore tool helps you to create the backup of the entire system including Operating System, installed programs and other stored data. You can easily restore your system image as well as data whenever your system runs into the problem due to any cause.

In this blog post, we are going to share the process of setting up automatic Windows backup on your Windows 10 PC. Do keep in mind you need to log in as administrator to perform this tutorial.

To Setup Automatic Windows Backup in Windows 10

Option one: Enable File History for Windows Backup

If you want to set up Windows backup using File History tool, you need to follow below-given guide.

Launch the Settings app on your Windows 10 PC, select “Update & Security” and then select Backup from the left pane of the Window.

Click on “Add a drive” and select the drive or network location where you want to have the backup.

Now click on “More options” link which appears just below “Automatically back up my files” option.

Click on “Back up now” button for immediate backup of your data. Select the preferred schedule from the drop down list under “Backup my files” option and then select for how long you want to keep the backup. The default option is forever.

After making changes scroll down the “Back-up options” window, you will notice the list of folders for the backup. You can add or remove backup folders there. You can also exclude any particular folder by adding that under “Exclude these folders” option.

If you want to change the backup drive, you need to stop using the current drive before adding a new one.

To Restore Data from File History Backup

You can restore the backup of files versions. Open the Control Panel, click on “File History”.

Click on “Restore personal files” link appearing on the left pane of the window.

You will be able to explore and restore the versions of files according to the backup date. Click on green colored Restore button to restore the data on original location.

Option two: Set up and Enable Windows Backup and Restore

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup

On the right pane of the window, click on “Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” link.

Click on “Set up backup” link.

Now select the drive where you want to store system image and click Next.

On the other hand, you can also keep the backup on a network place, for that just click “Save on a network” button.

Specify the network location path. You can also browse the location path. Fill the username & password and click OK.

Now choose whether you want to let the Windows choose what to backup or you want to choose by yourself. You are recommended to select “Let Windows choose”, but you can also opt the second option and click Next.

After finalizing the backup data click on “Save settings and run backup”. You can also change the backup schedule as per your choice (see highlighted text in the screenshot).

That’s it. You can use any of the options for Windows backup. In case your system breaks and you are unable to access settings or Control Panel, you can boot your PC using Windows installation disc or USB drive and then use the restore tool.